AN emotional Neil Lennon last night admitted he was praying his former Celtic team mate and close friend Jackie McNamara makes a full recovery from a bleed on the brain.

Lennon was shocked when he learned that McNamara, who he played alongside at Parkhead between 2000 and 2005, had been rushed to hospital after collapsing at his home in England at the weekend.

The 46-year-old Scot was placed into an induced coma and operated on at Hull Royal Infirmary – but he was reported to be communicating to members of his family yesterday.

Glasgow Times:

Lennon was clearly upset when he spoke to the media ahead of Celtic’s game against Ladbrokes Premiership rivals Hearts at Parkhead this evening.

“I don’t know what to say, really,” he said. “I spoke to him as recently as Tuesday at a development game. I’m just devastated by the news. I’m really hoping he pulls through.

“He’s stable but critical. It’s came as a huge shock to everybody. He’s my friend, and he has been for 20 years.

“I know Sam (McNamara’s wife) and the family very well. Him and Sid (former Celtic player Simon Donnelly) are so close, as we all were as a group under Martin (O’Neill) for a long, long time and still are. We’re just praying he pulls through."

Glasgow Times:

Lennon and McNamara enjoyed huge success together at Parkhead under O'Neill. They played in the team that won Celtic's third domestic treble in 2001 and reached the UEFA Cup final in Seville in 2003.

The Northern Irishman is hopeful the 33-times capped Scotland internationalist, who went on to manager Partick Thistle and Dundee United after retiring from playing, will be able to pull through.

Glasgow Times:

Lennon added: “It just shows you. You’re health’s your wealth at the end of the day. This has come out of nowhere and could happen to anybody. I just hope to God he comes through for us all.

“Jackie was hard as nails as a player. He was a tough tackler, consistent, versatile. He had a really bad injury, but before then he was absolutely flying.

“But he was an important team mate and was player of the year here a couple of times. He was a top quality player and a pretty good manager, but more than that, he’s a brilliant boy.”